98 s70 should I flush the tranny?

AVIP · Post by **AVIP** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:20

About to roll over the 200k in the next few months. Cars runs great. However I noticed the tranny fluid is a bit discolored. Volvo has made statements regarding their fluid as lifetime. However I am sure a change is needed. Should I flush such a high mileage tranny? The last service record I could find was 50 k at the dealer. I'm sure it was replaced since then. Just an incomplete record. Thoughts?

Post by **JRL** » 15 Mar 2014, 14:56

A series of drain and fills only at these miles
NEVER power flush

Bdates · Post by **Bdates** » 15 Mar 2014, 18:26

I'm not sure about the high miles. If its shifting fine I wouldn't worry about it. I got my 98 v70 awd around 140k miles and it was a bit rough shifting when punching it going into 2nd and 3rd, but a quick flush stopped that right away. Now its a nice red color.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 15 Mar 2014, 18:53

Do 3 or 4 drain and fills. I wouldn't straight up flush it or do a full swap at once.

Post by **rspi** » 15 Mar 2014, 19:09

When I purchased my car it had a bad tranny. The fluid was awful. I had mine replaced with a used one.

5,000 Miles later I changed the fluid, it was awful. I now change my fluid every 25,000 until it comes out clean. I will change it every 50,000 after that.

bguzz · Post by **bguzz** » 15 Mar 2014, 19:16

yes, DEFINATELY do a pump out flush. Use the procedure on this site for using the internal pump to push the fluid out. So many people get freaked out that flushing is some sort of high pressure power flush that is going to 'stir up' sediment and do damage. It won't. The fluid is always moving under some pressure and when you replace it, it will now have the proper lubricating, viscosity and cleaning properties that are needed. Forget the drain and fill method, your just wasting fluid by mixing and replacing. These cars need the fluid replaced every 30K under normal driving conditions (you can go longer if you do lots of highway driving). After 50 or 60K it really turns brown and watery.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 15 Mar 2014, 20:46

_

My 98 S70 T5 with 231K when purchased probably received its first flush as the color was coffee with a hint of silver hue. Car ran exceptionally quiet and smooth after the flush.

Both the links below provide some visual of a DYI Flush. The Volvo is a 2000 where as the 1998 has a pressure clamp.

MVS: New Modified Transmission Flush Method with Pictures
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=8767

Blessings,

BKM
_

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Mar 2014, 05:10

Definitely do not do a "pump flush" as suggested above. Mileage is just too high on this one. The reason to avoid it has nothing to do with the force of the pump, it is about how much of the fluid you are changing at once. With 3 or 4 drain and fills, you change the fluid over gradually. After that, a complete "pump flush" every 25k or whatever, is a great idea.

Post by **jblackburn** » 16 Mar 2014, 07:16

The worst thing you can do is ignore changing the fluid. The second worst thing you can do is flush a transmission with unknown history. Do the drain and fills as recommended.

AVIP · Post by **AVIP** » 16 Mar 2014, 09:14

The car only shifts hard when in sports mode (I think that's supposed to happen?) And rarely in economy mode. It never slips. I read a post on swede speed on how to flush it using. I had read something about flushing a high mileage transmission with new fluid can cause it to slip? I think I will go with the not all at once technique